A man accused of striking three police officers with his vehicle at a Phoenix QuikTrip early Tuesday has been identified as 44-year-old Marc LaQuon Payne.
An angry Phoenix Police Chief Joe Yahner played a video showing a vehicle pulling out of a parking space, circling the parking lot and then accelerating toward the police officers outside the convenience store.
In an early-afternoon press conference, Yahner said two officers were seriously injured and the driver will be booked on three charges of attempted first-degree murder.
“I’m very proud of the men and women of the Phoenix Police Department, and I’m outraged by this incident,” Yahner said.
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Two officers were transported to a hospital with serious injuries but are expected to be OK. The third officer was able to jump out of the way but sustained some injuries during a struggle with the driver during the arrest.
A sergeant with 18 years experience suffered a broken leg. An officer with 8 years of experience suffered a minor injury. And an officer who just graduated from the police academy suffered a head injury. It was his first day on the street with his newly assigned squad.
“We are confident this was an intentional act,” said Yahner. “It’s not acceptable.”
